Display substrate and display panel having the same

ABSTRACT

A display substrate includes a gate line, a data line and a pixel electrode. The gate line is extended in a first direction on a base substrate. The data line is extended in a second direction crossing to the first direction. The pixel electrode is disposed on a pixel area of the base substrate. The pixel electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode spaced apart by an opening portion, and receives a voltage having a same polarity. The opening portion includes a straight line portion extended in the first direction, a diagonal line portion extended in a third direction crossing the first and second directions, and a protrusion portion disposed in a length direction of the straight line portion at a portion of the pixel electrode where the straight line portion and the diagonal line portion meet.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No.2010-11774, filed on Feb. 9, 2010, and all the benefits accruingtherefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the contents of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a display substrate and a display panel havingthe display substrate. More particularly, the invention relates to adisplay substrate capable of enhancing display quality and a displaypanel having the display substrate.

2. Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) panel includes a first displaysubstrate, a second display substrate and a liquid crystal layer. Thefirst display substrate includes a plurality of thin-film transistors(“TFTs”) for driving each pixel electrode. The second display substrateincludes a common electrode facing the pixel electrode. The liquidcrystal layer is interposed between the first display substrate and thesecond display substrate. The LCD panel displays images by controllinglight transmittance when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystallayer.

The LCD panel may be classified into a vertical alignment (“VA”) modeLCD panel, a patterned vertical alignment (“PVA”) mode LCD panel, etc.,in accordance with an operation mode. In the VA mode LCD panel, liquidcrystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are aligned in a verticaldirection to display black images, when a voltage is not applied betweenthe first display substrate and the second display substrate. In the PVAmode LCD panel, in order to improve a viewing angle of the VA mode,opening patterns are formed through the pixel electrode and the commonelectrode, thereby dividing each pixel into multi-domains.

Thus, liquid crystal molecules are aligned from a peripheral area of theopening pattern toward an outer direction thereof in a radial shape, sothat lights are transmitted through the liquid crystal molecules todisplay the images. However, an arrangement of liquid crystal moleculesis not controlled in a boundary area between domains, that is, an areawhere the opening pattern is formed, so that liquid crystal moleculeshaving the different directions may be bumped with each other, so that asingular point on which a black point is displayed at an area where theliquid crystal molecules are bumped may be generated. Since the singularpoint may influence the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules disposedwithin the domain, the liquid crystal texture may be broken in an areaadjacent to the singular point so that display quality may be decreased.When the singular point is generated, the liquid crystal molecules arenot uniformly controlled so that display defects such as a residualimage, a response speed, etc., may be generated.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a display substrate forsimply controlling liquid crystal molecules.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention also provide a display panelhaving the above-mentioned display substrate.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a displaysubstrate includes a gate line, a data line and a pixel electrode. Thegate line is extended in a first direction on a base substrate. The dataline is extended in a second direction crossing the first direction. Thepixel electrode is disposed on a pixel area of the base substrate. Thepixel electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a secondsub-electrode spaced apart by an opening portion to receive a voltagehaving the same polarity. The opening portion has a straight lineportion extended in the first direction, a diagonal line portionextended in a third direction crossing the first and second directions,and a protrusion portion disposed in a length direction of the straightline portion at a portion where the straight line portion and thediagonal line portion are met.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a displaypanel includes a first display substrate, a second substrate and aliquid crystal layer. The first display substrate includes a gate line,a data line and a pixel electrode. The gate line is extended in a firstdirection on a base substrate. The data line is extended in a seconddirection crossing the first direction. The pixel electrode is disposedon a pixel area of the base substrate. The pixel electrode includes afirst sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode spaced apart by anopening portion to receive a voltage having the same polarity. Theopening portion has a straight line portion extended in the firstdirection, a diagonal line portion extended in a third directioncrossing the first and second directions, and a protrusion portiondisposed in a length direction of the straight line portion at a portionwhere the straight line portion and the diagonal line portion are met.The second display substrate includes a common electrode in which asecond opening portion is disposed at an area out of an area where thefirst opening portion is disposed. The liquid crystal layer is disposedbetween the first and second display substrates.

According to a display substrate and a display panel having the displaysubstrate, in a patterned vertical alignment (“PVA”) mode, a singularpoint of liquid crystal arrangement is uniformly formed on an area inwhich an opening portion is disposed, so that liquid crystal texture maybe stabilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will becomemore apparent by describing in detailed exemplary embodiments thereofwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a displaypanel, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a plan view illustrating a pixel electrode of FIG. 1, andFIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion in FIG. 3A, to explain aformation of a singular point;

FIGS. 4A to 4E are cross-sectional views showing an exemplary embodimentof a method of manufacturing a first display substrate of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of afirst display substrate, according to the invention;

FIG. 6A is a plan view illustrating a pixel electrode of FIG. 5, andFIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion in FIG. 6A, to explain aformation of a singular point;

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of afirst display substrate, according to the invention;

FIG. 8A is a plan view illustrating a pixel electrode of FIG. 7, andFIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a portion in FIG. 8A, to explain aformation of a singular point;

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of afirst display substrate, according to the invention;

FIG. 10A is a plan view illustrating a pixel electrode of FIG. 9, andFIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a portion in FIG. 10A to explain aformation of a singular point;

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of asecond display substrate, according to the invention;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view illustrating a common electrode of FIG. 11,to explain a formation of a singular point;

FIGS. 13A to 13C are cross-sectional views showing an exemplaryembodiment of a manufacturing process of the second display substrate ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of asecond display substrate, according to the invention; and

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view illustrating a common electrode of FIG. 14,to explain a formation of a singular point.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the inventionare shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many differentforms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplaryembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments areprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Inthe drawings, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may beexaggerated for clarity.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, itcan be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layeror intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. Like numerals refer to likeelements throughout. As used herein, connected may refer to elementsbeing physically and/or electrically connected to each other. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions,layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layersand/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms areonly used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer orsection from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element,component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed asecond element, component, region, layer or section without departingfrom the teachings of the invention.

Spatially relative terms, such as “lower,” “upper” and the like, may beused herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature'srelationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in thefigures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements describedas “lower” other elements or features would then be oriented “upper” theother elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “lower” canencompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may beotherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexemplary embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of theinvention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein withreference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematicillustrations of idealized exemplary embodiments (and intermediatestructures) of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of theillustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniquesand/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments ofthe invention should not be construed as limited to the particularshapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations inshapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, animplanted region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically, haverounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implant concentration atits edges rather than a binary change from implanted to non-implantedregion. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantation may result insome implantation in the region between the buried region and thesurface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, the regionsillustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes arenot intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device andare not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will befurther understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly useddictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art andwill not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unlessexpressly so defined herein.

All methods described herein can be performed in a suitable order unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “suchas”), is intended merely to better illustrate the invention and does notpose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwiseclaimed. No language in the specification should be construed asindicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of theinvention as used herein. Hereinafter, the invention will be explainedin detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a displaypanel, according to the invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the display panel includes a first displaysubstrate 100, a second display substrate 200 and a liquid crystal layer300.

The first display substrate 100 includes a first base substrate 101, aplurality of gate lines GLn and GLn+1, a plurality of storage lines STLnand STLn+1, a plurality of data lines DLm and DLm+1 and a plurality of apixel electrode PEa. The first display substrate 100 further includes agate insulation layer 120 and a protection insulation layer 150. As usedherein, ‘n’ and ‘m’ are natural numbers.

The first base substrate 101 may be a glass substrate as an opticaltransparent insulation substrate. The gate lines GLn and GLn+1 arelongitudinally extended in a first direction D1, and are arranged in asecond direction D2 crossing the first direction D1. The data lines DLmand DLm+1 are longitudinally extended in the second direction D2, andare arranged in the first direction D1. The storage lines STLn andSTLn+1 are longitudinally extended in the first direction D1, and arearranged in the second direction D2.

A pixel electrode PEa is disposed on a pixel area PA of the first basesubstrate 101. The pixel electrode PEa includes a first sub-electrodeSE1 and a second sub-electrode SE2 that are spaced apart from each otherby a first opening portion OP1 in the plan view of the display panel,for example, as indicated by “˜” in FIG. 1. The first sub-electrode SE1and the second sub-electrode SE2 are physically and/or electricallyconnected to the m-th data line DLm, to receive a pixel voltage having asame polarity.

The first opening portion OP1 divides the pixel area PA into a firstsub-area SA1, and a second sub-area SA2 which surrounds the firstsub-area SA1. The first sub-area SA1 and the second sub-area SA2 areoutlined with a dotted line in FIG. 1, and the dotted line for the firstsub-area SA1 is indicated within the first opening portion OP1. Thefirst sub-electrode SE1 is disposed on and disposed within boundaries ofthe first sub-area SA1, and the second electrode SE2 is disposed on anddisposed within boundaries of the second sub-area SA2. The firstsub-electrode SE1 and the second sub-electrode SE2

The pixel electrode PEa includes a plurality of a first notch portionN11, and a plurality of protrusion potions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 thatare disposed at a boundary portion of the first opening portion OP1.Each of the first notch portions N11 includes raised angle notches 161facing each other, in which an edge of the first sub-electrode SE1 andthe second sub-electrode SE2 at the first opening portion OP1 are cut ina V-shape on a plan view. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the firstsub-electrode SE1 is opposite to the second sub-electrode SE2 byinterposing the first opening portion OP1 therebetween.

Each of the protrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 is a raised anglenotch, in which the pixel electrode PEa is cut in a length direction ofa straight line portion where the straight line portion and a diagonalline portion are met. Hereinafter, a protrusion portion is denoted as araised angle notch when the pixel electrode PEa is cut in a V-shape on aplan view to be greater than a width of an opening portion, and aprotrusion portion is denoted as a depressed angle notch when the pixelelectrode PEa is protruded in a V-shape on a plan view to be smallerthan the width of the opening portion. The first opening portion OP1 isconsidered an enclosed opening penetrating a thickness of the pixelelectrode PEa, the pixel electrode solely defining the first openingportion OP1.

The pixel electrode PEa, including the first sub-electrode SE1 and thesecond sub-electrode SE2, is electrically connected to a firsttransistor TR1, a second transistor TR2, a third transistor TR3 and asharing capacitor CS to be driven. The first transistor TR1 includes afirst gate electrode GE connected to the n-th gate line GLn, a firstsource electrode SE connected to the m-th data line DLm, and a firstdrain electrode DE connected to the second sub-electrode SE2 through asecond contact portion CT2. The second transistor TR2 includes the firstgate electrode GE connected to the n-th gate line GLn, the first sourceelectrode SE connected to the m-th data line DLm, and a second drainelectrode DE connected to the first sub-electrode SE1 through a firstcontact portion CT1. The third transistor TR3 includes a second gateelectrode GE connected to the (n+1)-th gate line GLn+1, a second sourceelectrode SE connected to the second sub-electrode SE2, and a thirddrain electrode DE connected to a first electrode of the sharingcapacitor CS. The sharing capacitor CS includes the first electrode E1connected to the third drain electrode DE of the third transistor TR3and a second electrode E2 connected to the n-th gate line GLn.

When an n-th gate signal of a high level is applied to the n-th gateline GLn, the first and second transistors TR1 and TR2 are turned on sothat a first pixel voltage of a high level applied to the m-th data lineDLm is respectively applied to the first and second sub-electrodes SE1and SE2. Thus, the first pixel voltage of a high level is charged to afirst liquid crystal capacitor CLC1 defined by the first sub-electrodeSE1 and a common electrode CE of the second display substrate 200.Moreover, the first pixel voltage of a high level is charged to a secondliquid crystal capacitor CLC2 defined by the second sub-electrode SE2and the common electrode CE.

Then, when an n-th gate signal of a low level is applied to the n-thgate line GLn and a (n+1)-th gate signal of a high level is applied tothe (n+1)-th gate line, the first and second transistors TR1 and TR2 areturned off and the third transistor TR3 is turned on. When the thirdtransistor TR3 is turned on, the first pixel voltage of a high levelcharged to the second liquid crystal capacitor CLC2 is divided to becharged to the sharing capacitor CS. The second liquid crystal capacitorCLC2 is charged with a second pixel voltage that is lower than the firstpixel voltage. As a result, the first pixel voltage is applied to thefirst sub-electrode SE1 and the second pixel voltage that is lower thanthe first pixel voltage is applied to the second sub-electrode SE2, sothat the pixel electrode PEa divides a domain.

Referring to FIG. 2, the second display substrate 200 includes a secondbase substrate 201, a light-blocking member 211, a color filter 221 andthe common electrode CE.

The second base substrate 201 may be a glass substrate such as anoptically transparent insulation substrate. The light-blocking member211 is disposed on the second base substrate 201 to divide the secondbase substrate 201 into a light-blocking area and a light-transmittingarea. The light-blocking area may be defined where the light-blockingmember 211 is disposed, while the light-transmitting area may be definedwhere the light-blocking member is not disposed. The light-blockingmember 211 is positioned at an area corresponding to and overlapping thedata lines DLm and DLm+1 and the gate lines GLn and GLn+1. The colorfilter 221 is disposed at the light-transmitting area of the second basesubstrate 201 to emit color lights. The common electrode PEa is disposedon and overlapping the color filter 221 in the plan view, to face thepixel electrode PEa.

A second opening portion OP2 is disposed extending through the commonelectrode CE, for example, as indicated by “˜” in FIG. 1. The secondopening portion OP2 is disposed at an area not overlapping an area wherethe first opening portion OP1 of the pixel electrode PEa is disposed, inthe plan view. The second opening portion OP2 is considered an enclosedopening penetrating a thickness of the common electrode CE, the commonelectrode solely defining the second opening portion OP2.

Referring to FIG. 1, the second opening portion OP2 may include astraight line portion, a first diagonal line portion and a seconddiagonal line portion similar to the first opening portion OP1. Thecommon electrode CE may include a third notch portion N21 includingraised angle notches that are facing each other, and a fourth notchportion N22 including depressed angle notches that are facing eachother.

The liquid crystal layer 300 is disposed between the first and seconddisplay substrates 100 and 200 to be driven in a vertical alignmentmode. The liquid crystal layer 300 may be driven in multi-domains by thefirst and second sub-electrodes SE1 and SE2 which receive first andsecond pixel voltages of the different levels, and by the first andsecond opening portions OP1 and OP2.

FIG. 3A is a plan view illustrating a pixel electrode of FIG. 1, andFIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion in FIG. 3A, to explain aformation of a singular point. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the firstsub-electrode SE1 is disposed at a first sub-area SA1 positioned atsubstantially a center portion of the pixel area PA with respect to thefirst opening portion OP1, and the second sub-electrode SE2 is disposedat a second sub-area SA2 surrounding the first sub-area SA1. The firstopening portion OP1 includes a straight line portion LP1 longitudinallyextending in the second direction D2, a first diagonal line portion LP2connected to the straight line portion LP1 and longitudinally extendedin a third direction D3 crossing the first and second directions D1 andD2, and a second diagonal line portion LP3 longitudinally extending in afourth direction D4 substantially perpendicular to the third directionD3. Edges of the first opening portion OP1 at the straight line portionLP1, that is, edges of the first and second sub-electrodes SE1 and SE2facing each other relative to the first opening portion OP1 at thestraight line portion LP1, are parallel to each other.

The straight line portion LP1, the first diagonal line portion LP2 andthe second diagonal line portion LP3 are disposed continuously with eachother, such that the first opening portion OP1 is a single unitaryindivisible member, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The pixel electrode PEa includes a plurality of a first notch portionsN11 and a plurality of protrusion potions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 that aredisposed at least at a boundary portion of the first opening portion OP1.

Each of the first notch portions N11 includes raised angle notches 161in which edges of the first sub-electrode SE1 and the secondsub-electrode SE2 are cut in a V-shape on a plan view. The first notchportions N11 are repeatedly disposed along facing edges of the first andsecond sub-electrodes SE1 and SE2 that are spaced apart by the first andsecond diagonal line portions LP2 and LP3, respectively.

The protrusions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 are disposed longitudinallyextended in a length direction of the straight line portion LP1, at aportion where the straight line portion LP1 and the first diagonal lineportion LP2 are met, and a portion where the straight line portion LP1and the second diagonal line portion LP3 are met. That is, theprotrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 are raised angle notches inwhich the second sub-electrode SE2 where the straight line portion LP1and the first diagonal line portion LP2 are met, and the secondsub-electrode SE2 where the straight line portion LP1 and the seconddiagonal line portion LP3 are met, are cut in a V-shape on a plan view.

In a PVA mode in which the pixel electrode PEa is patterned, in order toprevent a singular point where liquid crystal molecules are notcontrolled in a requiring direction from being sporadically generated atan area corresponding to the first opening portion OP1, a notch portionis disposed at a fixed position of the pixel electrode PEa correspondingto the first opening portion OP1, so that a position where the singularpoint is generated may be controlled.

Referring to FIG. 3B, a first singular point SP1, in which the liquidcrystal molecules are arranged to have first direction characteristics,is defined at an area where the first notch portion N11 is disposed.Moreover, a second singular point SP2, in which the liquid crystalmolecules are arranged to have second direction characteristics that areopposite to the first direction characteristics, is conversely definedat a peripheral area of the first notch portion N11, e.g., where thefirst notch portion N11 is not disposed.

In the illustrated, for example, a protrusion portion NP3 is positionedat an area where the straight line portion LP1 and the second diagonalline portion LP3 (as indicated by the extended virtual line in FIG. 3B)are met. The protrusion portion NP3 is a raised angle notch. Theprotrusion portion NP3 arranges liquid crystal molecules to have thesecond direction characteristics in an area between the protrusionportion NP3 and the first notch portion N11, to form the second singularpoint SP2. The second singular point SP2 may be uniformly disposed in aperipheral area of the first notch portion N11, such as directlyadjacent to the protrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4.

Thus, the first notch portions N11 and the protrusion portions NP1, NP2,NP3 and NP4 may uniformly and alternately form the first and secondsingular points SP1 and SP2 of liquid crystal arrangement, so thatliquid crystal texture may be stabilized. Since an arrangement of liquidcrystal molecules is controlled in a boundary area between domains ofthe pixel electrode, that is, an area where the opening pattern isdisposed, liquid crystal molecules having the different directions arenot bumped with each other and a black point is not displayed.

FIGS. 4A to 4E are cross-sectional views showing an exemplary embodimentof a method of manufacturing the first display substrate of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4A, a first metal layer 110 is formed on thefirst base substrate 101, and then the first metal layer 110 ispatterned such as by using a first photoresist pattern PR1, to form afirst metal pattern. The first metal pattern includes the n-th and(n+1)-th gate lines GLn and GLn+1, the gate electrode GE and the n-thstorage line STLn.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4B, a gate insulation layer 120 is formed onthe first base substrate 101 on which the first metal pattern is formed,to cover the first metal pattern. The gate insulation layer 120 mayinclude an inorganic insulation material, for example, a silicon nitride(SiNx) or a silicon oxide (SiOx), a silicon oxynitride (SiOxNy).However, other suitable insulation layers would also be within the scopeof these embodiments. A semiconductor layer 131, an ohmic contact layer132 and a second metal layer 140 are sequentially formed on the firstbase substrate 101.

A second photoresist pattern PR2 is formed on the first base substrate101 on which the second metal layer 140 is formed. The secondphotoresist pattern PR2 includes a first photo pattern PR21, and asecond photo pattern PR22 having a thickness thinner than that of thefirst photo pattern PR21. The thickness is taken perpendicular to thefirst base substrate 101.

The first photo pattern PR21 is disposed on an area where the sourceelectrode SE, the drain electrode DE, a first contact electrode CTE1, asecond contact electrode CTE2 and the m-th and (m+1)-th data lines DLmand DLm+1 are formed. The second photo pattern PR22 is disposed on anarea where channels of the first, second and third transistors TR1, TR2and TR3 are formed.

The semiconductor layer 131, the ohmic contact layer 132 and the secondmetal layer 140 are simultaneously patterned by using the secondphotoresist pattern PR2 to form a second metal pattern. The second metalpattern includes an electrode pattern EP and the m-th and (m+1)-th datalines DLm and DLm+1. The second metal pattern may further include thesemiconductor layer 131 and the ohmic contact layer 132 that arepatterned below the electrode pattern EP and the m-th and (m+1)-th datalines DLm and DLm+1.

Then, the first and second photo patterns PR21 and PR22 are removed by apredetermined thickness, to leave a portion of the first and secondphoto pattern PR21 and PR22 material disposed on the structure.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4C, a third photo pattern PR23 is formed onthe second metal pattern. The third photo pattern PR23 is disposed onthe source electrode SE, the drain electrode DE and the m-th and(m+1)-th data lines DLm and DLm+1 to expose the second metal patternformed on an area corresponding to channels of the first, second andthird transistors TR1, TR2 and TR3. The second metal pattern is removedby using the third photo pattern PR23 to form channels CH1 and CH2 ofthe first and second transistors TR1 and TR2.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4D, a protection insulation layer 150 isformed on the first base substrate 101 on which the channels CH1 and CH2of the first and second transistors TR1 and TR2 are formed. A thirdphotoresist layer PR3 is formed on the protection insulation layer 150,and then holes H are formed to expose the first contact electrode CTE1and the second contact electrode CTE2 by using the third photoresistpattern PR3.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4E, an optically transparent conductivelayer 160 is formed on the first base substrate 101 through which thehole H is formed. A fourth photoresist pattern PR4 is formed on theoptically transparent conductive layer 160, and then the firstsub-electrode SE1 and the second sub-electrode SE2 spaced apart by afirst opening portion OP1 are formed by using the fourth photoresistpattern PR4.

Hereinafter, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to thesame or like parts as those described in the previous embodiment, andany further explanation concerning the above elements will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of afirst display substrate, according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first display substrate includes a plurality ofgate lines GLn and GLn+1, a plurality of storage lines STLn and STLn+1,a plurality of data lines DLm and DLm+1, and a plurality of a pixelelectrode PEb. Comparing with the first display substrate according tothe previous embodiment in FIGS. 1-3B, the pixel electrode PEb of thefirst display substrate according to the illustrated embodiment mayfurther include a plurality of inclined portions TP1, TP2, TP3 and TP4.

The pixel electrode PEb includes a plurality of first notch portion N11,a plurality of protrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4, and aplurality of inclined portions TP1, TP2, TP3 and TP4 that are disposedat a boundary portion of the first opening portion OP1. Each of thefirst notch portions N11 includes raised angle notches facing each otherin which an edge of the first sub-electrode SE1 and the secondsub-electrode SE2 at the first opening portion OP1 are cut in a V-shapeon a plan view. In the illustrated embodiment, the first sub-electrodeSE1 is opposite to the second sub-electrode SE2 by interposing the firstopening portion OP1 therebetween.

Each of the protrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 is a raised anglenotch in which the pixel electrode PEb is cut in a length direction of astraight line portion, where the straight line portion and a diagonalline portion are met. The inclined portions TP1, TP2, TP3 and TP4 areinclined toward the pixel electrode PEb at a portion where a straightline portion of the second sub-area SA2 and a diagonal line portion aremet. The inclined portions TP1, TP2, TP3 and TP4 may be disposed at asecond portion of the pixel electrode PEb facing a first portion of thepixel electrode PEb in which the protrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 andNP4 are disposed, in a diagonal direction.

FIG. 6A is a plan view illustrating a pixel electrode of FIG. 5, andFIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion in FIG. 6A to explain aformation of a singular point.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first sub-electrode SE1 is disposed ata first sub-area SA1 positioned at substantially a center portion of thepixel area PA with respect to the first opening portion OP1, and thesecond sub-electrode SE2 is disposed at a second sub-area SA2surrounding the first sub-area SA1. The first opening portion OP1includes a straight line portion LP1 longitudinally extending in thesecond direction D2, a first diagonal line portion LP2 connected to thestraight line portion LP1 and longitudinally extended in a thirddirection D3 crossing the first and second directions D1 and D2, and asecond diagonal line portion LP3 longitudinally extending in a fourthdirection D4 substantially perpendicular to the third direction D3.

Edges of the first opening portion OP1 at a central straight lineportion LP1, that is, edges of the first and second sub-electrodes SE1and SE2 facing each other relative to the first opening portion OP1 atthe central straight line portion LP1, are not completely parallel toeach other. The edge of the second sub-electrode SE2 at the centralstraight line portion LP1 is completely linear, while the edge of thefirst sub-electrode SE1 at the central straight line portion LP1includes a central linear portion and the inclined (e.g., non-linear)portions TP2 and TP3.

The pixel electrode PEb includes a plurality of first notch portion N11disposed at least at a boundary portion of the first opening portionOP1, a plurality of protrusion potions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 and aplurality of inclined portions TP1, TP2, TP3 and TP4.

Each of the first notch portions N11 includes raised angle notches inwhich edges of the first sub-electrode SE1 and the second sub-electrodeSE2 at the first opening portion OP1 are cut in a V-shape on a planview. The first notch portions N11 are repeatedly disposed along facingedges of the first and second sub-electrodes SE1 and SE2 that are spacedapart by the first and second diagonal line portions LP2 and LP3. Theprotrusions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 are disposed longitudinally extendedin a length direction of the straight line portion LP1, at a portionwhere the straight line portion LP1 and the first diagonal line portionLP2 are met, and a portion where the straight line portion LP1 and thesecond diagonal line portion LP3 are met. That is, the protrusionportions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 are raised angle notches in which thesecond sub-electrode SE2 where the straight line portion LP1 and thefirst diagonal line portion LP2 are met, and the second sub-electrodeSE2 where the straight line portion LP1 and the second diagonal lineportion LP3 are met, are cut in a V-shape on a plan view.

The inclined portions TP1, TP2, TP3 and TP4 are inclined at a portionwhere the straight line portion LP1 and the diagonal line portion LP2are met, and a portion where the straight line portion LP1 and thesecond diagonal line portion LP3 are met. Each of the inclined portionsTP1, TP2, TP3 and TP4 has a shape which is cut toward the firstsub-electrode SE1 at the straight line portion LP1. As shown in FIGS. 6Aand 6B, the inclined portions TP1, TP2, TP3 and TP4 may be disposed atthe first sub-electrode SE1 opposite to the second sub-electrode SE2 inwhich the protrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 are disposed, in adiagonal direction.

In a PVA mode in which the pixel electrode PEb is patterned, in order toprevent a singular point where liquid crystal molecules are notcontrolled in a requiring direction from being sporadically generated atan area corresponding to the first opening portion OP1, a notch portionis disposed at a fixed position of the pixel electrode PEb correspondingto the first opening portion OP1, so that a position where the singularpoint is generated may be controlled.

Referring to FIG. 6B, a first singular point SP1 in which the liquidcrystal molecules are arranged to have first direction characteristics,is defined at an area where the first notch portion N11 is disposed.Moreover, a second singular point SP2, in which the liquid crystalmolecules are arranged to have second direction characteristics that areopposite to the first direction characteristics, is conversely definedat a peripheral area of the first notch portion N11 e.g., where thefirst notch portion N11 is not disposed.

In the illustrated embodiment, for example, a protrusion portion NP3 ispositioned at an area where the straight line portion LP1 and the seconddiagonal line portion LP3 (as indicated by the extended virtual line inFIG. 6B) are met. The protrusion portion NP3 is a raised angle notch.The protrusion portion NP3 arranges liquid crystal molecules to have thesecond direction characteristics in an area between the protrusionportion NP3 and the first notch portion N11 to form the second singularpoint SP2. The second singular point SP2 may be uniformly disposed in aperipheral area of the first notch portion N11, such as directlyadjacent to the protrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4.

Moreover, due to the inclined portions TP1, TP2, TP3 and TP4, aformation of the second singular point SP2 may be easily realized at aportion where the straight line portion LP1 and the first diagonal lineportion LP2 are met, and a portion where the straight line portion LP1and the second diagonal line portion LP3 are met.

Thus, the first notch portions N11, the protrusion portions NP1, NP2,NP3 and NP4 and the inclined portions TP1, TP2, TP3 and TP4 mayuniformly form the first and second singular points SP1 and SP2, so thatliquid crystal texture may be stabilized. Since an arrangement of liquidcrystal molecules is controlled in a boundary area between domains ofthe pixel electrode, that is, an area where the opening pattern isdisposed, liquid crystal molecules having the different directions arenot bumped with each other and a black point is not displayed.

FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of afirst display substrate, according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first display substrate includes a plurality ofgate lines GLn and GLn+1, a plurality of storage lines STLn and STLn+1,a plurality of data lines DLm and DLm+1 and a plurality of a pixelelectrode PEc. The pixel electrode PEc of the first display substrateaccording to the illustrated embodiment further includes a plurality ofa second notch portion N12 in comparison with the first displaysubstrate according to the previous embodiment as shown in FIG. 1.

The pixel electrode PEc includes a plurality of a first notch portionN11, a plurality of the second notch portion N12 and a plurality ofprotrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 that are disposed at least ata boundary portion of the first opening portion OP1. Each of the firstnotch portions N11 includes raised angle notches facing each other inwhich an edge of the first sub-electrode SE1 and the secondsub-electrode SE2 at the first opening portion OP1 are cut in a V-shape.In the illustrated embodiment, the first sub-electrode SE1 is oppositeto the second sub-electrode SE2 by interposing the first opening portionOP1 therebetween.

Each of the second notch portions N12 includes \depressed angle notchesin which the first sub-electrode SE1 and the second sub-electrode SE2are disposed in a V-shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the firstsub-electrode SE1 is opposite to the second sub-electrode SE2 byinterposing the first opening portion OP1 therebetween.

Each of the protrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 is a raised anglenotch in which the pixel electrode PEc is cut in a length direction ofthe straight line portion at a portion where the straight line portionand the diagonal line portion of the second sub-area SA2 are met.

FIG. 8A is a plan view illustrating a pixel electrode of FIG. 7, andFIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a portion in FIG. 8A to explain aformation of a singular point.

Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the first sub-electrode SE1 is disposed ata first sub-area SA1 positioned at substantially a center portion of thepixel area PA with respect to the first opening portion OP1, and thesecond sub-electrode SE2 is disposed at a second sub-area SA2surrounding the first sub-area SA1. The first opening portion OP1includes a straight line portion LP1 longitudinally extending in thesecond direction D2, a first diagonal line portion LP2 connected to thestraight line portion LP1 and longitudinally extended in a thirddirection D3 crossing the first and second directions D1 and D2, and asecond diagonal line portion LP3 longitudinally extending in a fourthdirection D4 substantially perpendicular to the third direction D3.

The pixel electrode PEc includes a plurality of first notch portionsN11, a plurality of second notch portions N12 and a plurality ofprotrusion potions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 that are disposed at least at aboundary portion of the first opening portion OP1.

Each of the first notch portions N11 includes raised angle notches 161in which edges of the first sub-electrode SE1 and the secondsub-electrode SE2 at the first opening portion OP1 are cut in a V-shapeon a plan view. The first notch portions N11 are repeatedly disposedalong facing edges of the first and second sub-electrodes SE1 and SE2that are spaced apart by the first and second diagonal line portions LP2and LP3. Referring to FIG. 8B, the raised angle notches 161 have agroove shape in which a boundary line BL of the first opening portionOP1, that is, an end portion of the first sub-electrode SE1 or an endportion of the second sub-electrode SE2 is cut in a V-shape.

In FIG. 8B, with reference to the boundary line BL, as virtuallyextended by the dotted line through the second notch portion N12, thefirst notch portion N11 is a raised angle notch, e.g., the notchprotruding towards the second sub-electrode SE2 from the boundary lineBL, while the second notch portion N12 is a depressed angle notch, e.g.,the notch protruding away from the second sub-electrode SE2 and towardsthe first opening portion OP1 from the boundary line BL.

The second notch portion N12 includes depressed angle notches 163 aopposing each other relative to the first opening portion OP1, in whichedges of the first and second sub-electrodes SE1 and SE2 at the firstopening portion OP1 are disposed in a V-shape. The second notch portionsN12 are repeatedly disposed along facing edges (e.g., boundary lines BL)of the first and second sub-electrodes SE1 and SE2 that are spaced apartby the first and second diagonal line portions LP2 and LP3. The secondnotch portions N12 and the first notch portions N11 are disposed in analternating manner.

The second notch portion N12 includes the depressed angle notches 163 a,and a connection portion 163 b. The depressed angle notch 163 a isextended from a reference line RL set in an interior portion of thefirst sub-electrode SE1 relative to the boundary line BL, or the secondsub-electrode SE2 toward the first opening portion OP1, to have aV-shape. The connection portion 163 b extends from two end portions ofthe depressed angle notch 163 a and contacts the reference line RL andthe boundary line BL that is an end portion of the second sub-electrodeSE2. The connection portion 163 b has a slope corresponding to adistance between the boundary line BL and the reference line RL. A widthof the first opening portion OP1 is gradually increased, when it becomesclose to the depressed angle notch 163 a, from a peripheral area of thedepressed angle notch 163 a such as at the connection portion 163 b.

The depressed angle notch 163 a starts protruding from the referenceline RL that is further interior than the boundary line BL, so that thedepressed notch 163 a may be disposed without decreasing a height of thedepressed angle notch 163 a, even though a width of the first openingportion OP1 is narrow at the second notch portion N12. In order toenhance light transmission, the depressed notch 163 a may be disposed inan original height thereof without decreasing a height of the depressedangle notch 163 a, even though in a structure that a width of the firstopening portion OP1 is decreased from about 10 micrometers (μm), toabout 7 micrometers (μm) through 8 micrometers (μm). Thus, the secondnotch portion N12 may be disposed at a fixed position.

The protrusions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 are disposed longitudinallyextended in a length direction of the straight line portion LP1, at aportion where the straight line portion LP1 and the first diagonal lineportion LP2 are met, and a portion where the straight line portion LP1and the second diagonal line portion LP3 are met. That is, theprotrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 are raised angle notches inwhich the second sub-electrode SE2 where the straight line portion LP1and the first diagonal line portion LP2 are met, and the secondsub-electrode SE2 where the straight line portion LP1 and the seconddiagonal line portion LP3 are met are cut in a V-shape on a plan view.

Referring to FIG. 8B, a first singular point SP1 in which the liquidcrystal molecules are arranged to have first direction characteristics,is defined at an area where the first notch portion N11 is disposed.Moreover, a second singular point SP2, in which the liquid crystalmolecules are arranged to have second direction characteristics that areopposite to the first direction characteristics, is defined at an areawhere the second notch portion N12 adjacent to the first notch portionN11 is disposed. The protrusion portion NP3 is a raised angle notch. Thesecond singular point SP2 may also be uniformly disposed in a peripheralarea of the first notch portion N11 adjacent to the protrusion portionNP3, as shown in FIG. 6B.

Thus, the first notch portions N11, the second notch portions N12 andthe protrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 may uniformly form thefirst singular point SP1 and the second singular point SP2, so thatliquid crystal texture may be stabilized. Since an arrangement of liquidcrystal molecules is controlled in a boundary area between domains ofthe pixel electrode, that is, an area where the opening pattern isdisposed, liquid crystal molecules having the different directions arenot bumped with each other and a black point is not displayed.

FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of afirst display substrate, according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the first display substrate includes a plurality ofgate lines GLn and GLn+1, a plurality of storage lines STLn and STLn+1,a plurality of data lines DLm and DLm+1, and a plurality of pixelelectrodes PEd. The pixel electrode PEd of the illustrated embodiment issubstantially the same as the pixel electrode of FIGS. 7, 8A and 8Bexcept for at least a structure of a second notch portion N12.

FIG. 10A is a plan view illustrating a pixel electrode of FIG. 9, andFIG. 10B is an enlarged view of a portion in FIG. 10A to explain aformation of a singular point.

Referring to FIGS. 9, 10A and 10B, the first sub-electrode SE1 isdisposed at an interior portion of the pixel electrode PEd with respectto the first opening portion OP1, and the second sub-electrode SE2 ispositioned at an exterior portion of the pixel electrode PEd withrespect to the first opening portion OP1. The first opening portion OP1includes a straight line portion LP1 longitudinally extending in thesecond direction D2, a first diagonal line portion LP2 connected to thestraight line portion LP1 and longitudinally extended in a thirddirection D3 crossing the first and second directions D1 and D2, and asecond diagonal line portion LP3 longitudinally extending in a fourthdirection D4 substantially perpendicular to the third direction D3.

The pixel electrode PEd includes a plurality of a first notch portionN11, a plurality of a second notch portion N12 and a plurality ofprotrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 that are disposed at least ata boundary area of the first opening portion OP1.

Each of the first notch portions N11 includes raised angle notches 161in which edges of the first sub-electrode SE1 and the secondsub-electrode SE2 at the first opening portion OP1 are cut in a V-shapeon a plan view. The first notch portions N11 are repeatedly disposedalong facing edges of the first and second sub-electrodes SE1 and SE2that are spaced apart by the first and second diagonal line portions LP2and LP3. Referring to FIG. 10B, the raised angle notches 161 have agroove shape in which a boundary line BL of the first opening portionOP1, that is, an end portion of the first sub-electrode SE1 or an endportion of the second sub-electrode SE2 is cut in a V-shape.

The second notch portion N12 includes depressed angle notches 164 aopposing each other relative to the first opening portion OP1, in whichedges of the first and second sub-electrodes SE1 and SE2 at the firstopening portion OP1 are disposed in a V-shape. The second notch portionsN12 are repeatedly disposed along facing edges of the first and secondsub-electrodes SE1 and SE2 that are spaced apart by the first and seconddiagonal line portions LP2 and LP3. The second notch portions N12 andthe first notch portions N11 are disposed in an alternating manner.

The second notch portion N12 includes the depressed angle notches 164 a,a first connection portion 164 a and a second connection portion 164 c.The depressed angle notch 164 a is extended from a reference line RL setin an interior portion of the first sub-electrode SE1 or the secondsub-electrode SE2 relative to the boundary line BL, toward the firstopening portion OP1 to have a V-shape. The first connection portion 164b is extended from two end portions of the depressed angle notch 164 acontacting the reference line RL to be on an extending line of thereference line RL. The second connection portion 164 c inclinedlyconnects the first connection portion 164 b and the boundary line BL.The second connection portion 164 c has a slope corresponding to adistance between the boundary line BL and the reference line RL. A widthof the first opening portion OP1 is gradually increased, when it becomesclose to the depressed angle notch 164 a from a peripheral area of thedepressed angle notch 164 a.

The depressed angle notch 164 a starts protruding from the referenceline RL that is further interior than the boundary line BL, so that thedepressed notch 164 a may be disposed without decreasing a height of thedepressed angle notch 164 a, even though a width of the first openingportion OP1 is narrow at the second notch portion N12. In order toenhance light transmission, the depressed notch 164 a may be disposed inan original height thereof without decreasing a height of the depressedangle notch 164 a, even though in a structure that a width of the firstopening portion OP1 is decreased from about 10 μm, to about 7 μm throughabout 8 μm. Thus, the second notch portion N12 may be disposed at afixed position.

The protrusions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 are disposed longitudinally in alength direction of the straight line portion LP1, at a portion wherethe straight line portion LP1 and the first diagonal line portion LP2are met, and a portion where the straight line portion LP1 and thesecond diagonal line portion LP3 are met. That is, the protrusionportions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 are raised angle notches in which thesecond sub-electrode SE2 where the straight line portion LP1 and thefirst diagonal line portion LP2 are met and the second sub-electrode SE2where the straight line portion LP1 and the second diagonal line portionLP3 are met are cut in a V-shape on a plan view.

Referring to FIG. 10B, a first singular point SP1 in which the liquidcrystal molecules are arranged to have first direction characteristics,is defined at an area where the first notch portion N11 is disposed.Moreover, a second singular point SP2, in which the liquid crystalmolecules are arranged to have second direction characteristics that areopposite to the first direction characteristics, is defined at an areawhere the second notch portion N12 adjacent to the first notch portionN11 is disposed. The protrusion portion NP3 is a raised angle notch. Thesecond singular point SP2 may also be uniformly disposed in a peripheralarea of the first notch portion N11 adjacent to the protrusion portionNP3.

Thus, the first notch portions N11, the second notch portions N12 andthe protrusion portions NP1, NP2, NP3 and NP4 may uniformly form thefirst singular point SP1 and the second singular point SP2, so thatliquid crystal texture may be stabilized. Since an arrangement of liquidcrystal molecules is controlled in a boundary area between domains ofthe pixel electrode, that is, an area where the opening pattern isdisposed, liquid crystal molecules having the different directions arenot bumped with each other and a black point is not displayed.

FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of asecond display substrate, according to the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 11, the second display substrate includes alight-blocking member 211, a color filter 221 and a common electrodeCEa. The common electrode CEa of the illustrated embodiment issubstantially the same as the common electrode of FIGS. 1 and 2, exceptfor at least a structure of a fourth notch portion N22.

A second opening portion OP2 is extended through the common electrodeCEa. The second opening portion OP2 includes a third diagonal lineportion LP4 longitudinally extending in a third direction D3, and afourth diagonal line portion LP5 extending in a fourth direction D4. Thesecond opening portion OP2 includes a third notch portion N21 and afourth notch portion N22 that are disposed at the third and fourthdiagonal line portions LP4 and LP5, respectively.

The third notch portion N21 includes raised angle notches which areextended from a boundary line of the second opening portion OP2, towardthe common electrode CEa. The fourth notch portion N22 includesdepressed angle notches which are extended from an inner portion of thecommon electrode CEa toward the second opening portion OP2.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view illustrating a common electrode of FIG. 11to explain a formation of a singular point.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the common electrode CEa is divided into aplurality of domains by the second opening portion OP2. The secondopening portion OP2 includes a third diagonal line portion LP4 extendingin the third direction D3 and a fourth diagonal line portion LP5extending in a fourth direction D4, substantially perpendicular to thethird direction D3.

The common electrode CEa includes a plurality of third notch portionsN21 and a plurality of fourth notch portions N22, that are disposed at aboundary portion of the second opening portion OP2.

Each of the third notch portions N21 includes raised angle notches 231in which edges of the common electrode CEa at the second opening portionOP2 are cut in a V-shape on a plan view. The third notch portions N21are repeatedly disposed along facing edges of the common electrode CEathat are spaced apart by the first and second diagonal line portions LP4and LP5. In the illustrated embodiment, the raised angle notch 231 is agroove of a V-shape in which the common electrode CEa is recessedthereof relative to the boundary line BL of the second opening portionOP2.

Each of the fourth notch portions N22 includes depressed angle notches233 a opposing each other in which edges of the common electrode CEa atthe second opening portion OP2 are disposed in a V-shape. The fourthnotch portions N22 are repeatedly disposed along facing edges of thecommon electrode CEa that are spaced apart by the first and seconddiagonal line portions LP2 and LP3. The fourth notch portions N22 andthe third notch portions N21 are disposed in an alternating manner.

The fourth notch portion N22 includes the depressed angle notches 233 aand a connection portion 233 b. The depressed angle notch 233 a isextended from a reference line RL set in an interior portion of thecommon electrode CEa relative to the boundary line BL toward the secondopening portion OP2 to have a V-shape. The connection portion 233 bextends from two end portions of the depressed angle notch 233 a andcontacts the reference line RL and the boundary line BL that is an endportion of the common electrode CEa. The connection portion 233 b has aslope corresponding to a distance between the boundary line BL and thereference line RL. A width of the second opening portion OP2 isgradually increased, when it becomes close to the depressed angle notch233 a from a peripheral area of the depressed angle notch 233 a.

The depressed angle notch 233 a starts protruding from the referenceline RL that is further interior than the boundary line BL, so that thedepressed notch 233 a may be disposed without decreasing a height of thedepressed angle notch 233 a, even though a width of the second openingportion OP2 is narrow at the fourth notch portion N22. Thus, the fourthnotch portion N22 may be disposed at a fixed position.

Referring to FIG. 12, a first singular point SP1 in which the liquidcrystal molecules are arranged to have first direction characteristics,is defined at an area where the third notch portion N21 is disposed.Moreover, a second singular point SP2, in which the liquid crystalmolecules are arranged to have second direction characteristics that areopposite to the first direction characteristics, is defined at an areawhere the fourth notch portion N22 adjacent to the third notch portionN21 is disposed.

Thus, the third and fourth notch portions N21 and N22 respectivelydisposed at the third and fourth diagonal line portions LP4 and LP5 mayuniformly form the first singular point SP1 and the second singularpoint SP2, so that liquid crystal texture may be stabilized. Since anarrangement of liquid crystal molecules is controlled in a boundary areabetween domains of the common electrode, that is, an area where theopening pattern is disposed, liquid crystal molecules having thedifferent directions are not bumped with each other and a black point isnot displayed.

FIGS. 13A to 13C are cross-sectional views showing an exemplaryembodiment of a manufacturing process of the second display substrate ofFIG. 11.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13A, a light-blocking layer 210 is disposed ona second base substrate 201. The light-blocking layer 210 is patterned,such as by using a mask 500 including a light-transmitting portion 510and a light-blocking portion 520, to form a light-blocking pattern 211.The light-blocking pattern 211 is formed in a matrix shape.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13B, a color filter layer 220 is formed on thesecond base substrate 201 in which the light-blocking pattern 211 isformed. The color filter layer 220 is patterned, such as by using a mask600 including a light-transmitting portion 610 and a light-blockingportion 620, to form a color filter 221. The color filter 221 is formedon a light-transmitting area of the second base substrate 201, which isdefined by the light-blocking pattern 211.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13C, a transparent conductive layer is formedon the second base substrate 201 in which the color filter 221 isformed, and then the transparent conductive layer is patterned by usinga fifth photoresist pattern PR5 to form the common electrode CEa inwhich the second opening portion OP2 is formed.

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of asecond display substrate, according to the invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, the second display substrate includes alight-blocking member 211, a color filter 221 and a common electrodeCEb. A second opening portion OP2 is extended through the commonelectrode CEb. The second opening portion OP2 includes a third diagonalline portion LP4 longitudinally extending in a third direction D3 and afourth diagonal line portion LP5 longitudinally extending in a fourthdirection D4. The second opening portion OP2 includes a third notchportion N21 and a fourth notch portion N22 that are disposed at thethird and fourth diagonal line portions LP4 and LP5. The commonelectrode CEb of the illustrated embodiment is substantially the same asthe common electrode of FIGS. 11 and 12, except for at least a structureof a fourth notch portion N22.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged view illustrating a common electrode of FIG. 14to explain a formation of a singular point.

Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, the common electrode CEb is divided into aplurality of domains by the second opening portion OP2. The secondopening portion OP2 includes a third diagonal line portion LP4 extendingin the third direction D3 and a fourth diagonal line portion LP5extending in a fourth direction D4 substantially perpendicular to thethird direction D3.

The common electrode CEb includes a plurality of third notch portionsN21 and a plurality of fourth notch portions N22 that are disposed at aboundary portion of the second opening portion OP2.

Each of the third notch portions N21 includes raised angle notches 231in which edges of the common electrode CEb at the second opening portionOP2 are cut in a V-shape on a plan view. The first notch portions N11are repeatedly disposed along facing edges of the common electrode CEbthat are spaced apart by the first and second diagonal line portions LP4and LP5. In the illustrated embodiment, the raised angle notch 231 is agroove of a V-shape in which the common electrode CEb is recessedthereof relative to a boundary line BL of the second opening portionOP2.

Each of the fourth notch portions N22 includes depressed angle notches233 a opposing each other in which edges of the common electrode CEb atthe second opening portion OP2 are disposed in a V-shape. The fourthnotch portions N22 are repeatedly disposed along facing edges of thecommon electrode CEb that are spaced apart by the first and seconddiagonal line portions LP2 and LP3. The fourth notch portions N22 andthe third notch portions N21 are disposed in an alternating manner.

The fourth notch portion N22 includes the depressed angle notch 234 a, afirst connection portion 234 b and a second connection portion 234 c.The depressed angle notch 234 a is extended from a reference line RL setin an interior portion of the common electrode CEb relative to theboundary line BL toward the second opening portion OP2 to have aV-shape. The first connection portion 234 b is extended from two endportions of the depressed angle notch 234 a contacting the referenceline RL to be on an extending line of the reference line RL. The secondconnection portion 234 c inclinedly connects the first connectionportion 234 b and the boundary line BL of the second connection portionOP2. The second connection portion 234 c has a slope corresponding to adistance between the boundary line BL and the reference line RL. A widthof the second opening portion OP2 is gradually increased, when itbecomes close to the depressed angle notch 234 a from a peripheral areaof the depressed angle notch 234 a.

The depressed angle notch 234 a starts protruding from the referenceline RL that is further interior than the boundary line BL, so that thedepressed notch 234 a may be disposed without decreasing a height of thedepressed angle notch 234 a, even though a width of the second openingportion OP2 is narrow at the fourth notch portion N22. Thus, the fourthnotch portion N22 may be disposed at a fixed position.

Referring to FIG. 15, a first singular point SP1, in which the liquidcrystal molecules are arranged to have first direction characteristics,is defined at an area where the third notch portion N21 is disposed.Moreover, a second singular point SP2, in which the liquid crystalmolecules are arranged to have second direction characteristics that areopposite to the first direction characteristics, is defined at an areawhere the fourth notch portion N22 adjacent to the third notch portionN21 is disposed.

Thus, the third and fourth notch portions N21 and N22 respectivelydisposed at the third and fourth diagonal line portions LP4 and LP5 mayuniformly form the first singular point SP1 and the second singularpoint SP2, so that liquid crystal texture may be stabilized. Since anarrangement of liquid crystal molecules is controlled in a boundary areabetween domains of the common electrode, that is, an area where theopening pattern is disposed, liquid crystal molecules having thedifferent directions are not bumped with each other and a black point isnot displayed.

As described above, according to the illustrated embodiments, aprotrusion portion of a V-shape is disposed at a second sub-electrodewhere a diagonal line portion and a straight line portion, whichcorrespond to an opening portion, are met, so that a first singularpoint of liquid crystal arrangement may be uniformly formed at a fixedposition. Moreover, a second notch portion, which is extended from areference line that is further interior than a boundary line of anopening portion in a V-shape, is disposed between a first notch portionsincluding a raised angle notch, so that a second singular point ofliquid crystal arrangement may be uniformly disposed at a fixedposition. Thus, in a PVA mode, a singular point of liquid crystalarrangement is uniformly formed on an area in which an opening portionis disposed, so that liquid crystal texture may be stabilized. Since anarrangement of liquid crystal molecules is controlled in a boundary areabetween domains of an electrode, that is, an area where the openingpattern is disposed, liquid crystal molecules having the differentdirections are not bumped with each other and a black point is notdisplayed.

The foregoing is illustrative of the invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments ofthe invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplaryembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of the invention. Accordingly, all such modifications areintended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined inthe claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended tocover the structures described herein as performing the recited functionand not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative ofthe invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specificexemplary embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosedexemplary embodiments, as well as other exemplary embodiments, areintended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Theinvention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of theclaims to be included therein.

1. A display substrate comprising: a gate line extended in a firstdirection on a base substrate; a data line extended in a seconddirection crossing the first direction; and a pixel electrode disposedon a pixel area of the base substrate, the pixel electrode comprising afirst sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode spaced apart by anopening portion and receiving a voltage having a same polarity, theopening portion comprising: a straight line portion extended in thefirst direction; a diagonal line portion extended in a third directioncrossing the first and second directions; and a protrusion portionextended in a length direction of the straight line portion, at aportion of the opening portion where the straight line portion and thediagonal line portion meet.
 2. The display substrate of claim 1, whereinthe pixel electrode further comprises a first notch portion includingraised angle notches facing each other relative to the diagonal lineportion which separates the first sub-electrode and the secondsub-electrode, the raised angle notches protruding into the pixelelectrode from a boundary line of the pixel electrode, and having aV-shape on a plan view.
 3. The display substrate of claim 1, wherein thepixel electrode further comprises an inclined portion which is inclinedfrom the straight line portion toward the diagonal line portion, at anarea where the straight line portion and the diagonal line portion meet.4. The display substrate of claim 1, wherein the pixel area is dividedinto a first sub-area, and a second sub-area surrounding the firstsub-area in the plan view, by the opening portion, and the firstsub-electrode is disposed in the first sub-area, and the secondsub-electrode is disposed in the second sub-area.
 5. The displaysubstrate of claim 1, wherein the pixel electrode further comprises asecond notch portion including depressed angle notches facing each otherrelative to the diagonal line portion which separates the firstsub-electrode and the second sub-electrode, the depressed angle notchesprotruding away from the pixel electrode from a boundary line of thepixel electrode, and having a V-shape on a plan view, and the secondnotch portion is positioned adjacent to the first notch portion.
 6. Thedisplay substrate of claim 5, wherein the depressed angle notches of thesecond notch portion extend toward the opening portion from a referenceline positioned at an inner portion of the first sub-electrode or thesecond sub-electrode on the plan view, the reference line disposedseparated from the boundary line of the pixel electrode.
 7. The displaysubstrate of claim 6, wherein a width of the opening portion isgradually increased in a direction towards the depressed angle notch ofthe second notch portion.
 8. The display substrate of claim 7, whereinthe second notch portion further includes a connection portion; each ofthe depressed angle notches is disposed in the V-shape on the plan view;and the connection portion is inclinedly extended toward the openingportion from two end portions of the depressed angle notch whichcontacts the reference line.
 9. The display substrate of claim 7,wherein the second notch portion further includes a first connectionportion and a second connection portion; each of the depressed anglenotches is disposed in the V-shape on the plan view; the firstconnection portion is inclinedly extended toward an extension line ofthe reference line from two end portions of the depressed angle notchcontacting with the reference line; and the second connection portioninclinedly extended toward the opening portion from an end portion ofthe first connection portion.
 10. The display substrate of claim 1,further comprising: a first transistor connected to the data line, thegate line and the first sub-electrode; and a second transistor connectedto the data line, the gate line and the second sub-electrode.
 11. Thedisplay substrate of claim 7, further comprising: a sharing capacitorconnected to the gate line; and a third transistor connected to thesecond sub-electrode, an adjacent gate line adjacent to the gate lineand the sharing capacitor.
 12. A display panel comprising: a firstdisplay substrate comprising: a gate line extended in a first direction;a data line extended in a second direction crossing the first direction;and a pixel electrode disposed on a pixel area of the base substrate,the pixel electrode comprising a first sub-electrode and a secondsub-electrode spaced apart by an opening portion and receiving a voltagehaving a same polarity, the opening portion comprising: a straight lineportion extended in the first direction; a diagonal line portionextended in a third direction crossing the first and second directions;and a protrusion portion extended in a length direction of the straightline portion, at a portion of the opening portion where the straightline portion and the diagonal line portion meet; a second displaysubstrate comprising a common electrode in which a second openingportion is disposed at an area separate from an area where the firstopening portion is disposed, in a plan view of the display panel; and aliquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second displaysubstrates.
 13. The display panel of claim 12, wherein the pixelelectrode further comprises a first notch portion including raised anglenotches facing each other relative to the diagonal line portion whichseparates the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode, theraised angle notches protruding into the pixel electrode from a boundaryline of the pixel electrode, and having a V-shape on the plan view. 14.The display panel of claim 12, wherein the pixel electrode furthercomprises an inclined portion which is inclined from the straight lineportion toward the diagonal line portion, at an area where the straightline portion and the diagonal line portion meet.
 15. The display panelof claim 12, wherein the pixel area is divided into a first sub-area,and a second sub-area surrounding the first sub-area in the plan view,by the opening portion, and the first sub-electrode is disposed in thefirst sub-area, and the second sub-electrode is disposed in the secondsub-area.
 16. The display panel of claim 12, wherein the pixel electrodefurther comprises a second notch portion including depressed anglenotches facing each other relative to the diagonal line portion whichseparates the first sub-electrode and the second sub-electrode, thedepressed angle notches protruding away from the pixel electrode from aboundary line of the pixel electrode, and having a V-shape on the planview, and the second notch portion is positioned in adjacent to thefirst notch portion.
 17. The display panel of claim 16, wherein thedepressed angle notches of the second notch portion extend toward theopening portion from a reference line positioned at an inner portion ofthe first sub-electrode or the second sub-electrode on the plan view,the reference line disposed separated from a boundary line of the pixelelectrode.
 18. The display panel of claim 17, wherein a width of theopening portion is gradually increased in a direction toward thedepressed angle notch of the second notch portion.
 19. The display panelof claim 18, wherein the second notch portion further includes aconnection portion; each of the depressed angle notches is disposed inthe V-shape on the plan view; and the connection portion is inclinedlyextended toward the opening portion from two end portions of thedepressed angle notch which contacts the reference line.
 20. The displaypanel of claim 18, wherein the second notch portion further includes afirst connection portion and a second connection portion; each of thedepressed angle notches is disposed in the V-shape on the plan view; thefirst connection portion is inclinedly extended toward an extension lineof the reference line from two end portions of the depressed angle notchcontacting with the reference line; and the second connection portioninclinedly extended toward the opening portion from an end portion ofthe first connection portion.
 21. The display panel of claim 12, furthercomprising: a first transistor connected to the data line, the gate lineand the first sub-electrode; and a second transistor connected to thedata line, the gate line and the second sub-electrode.
 22. The displaypanel of claim 21, further comprising: a sharing capacitor connected tothe gate line; and a third transistor connected to the secondsub-electrode, an adjacent gate line adjacent to the gate line and thesharing capacitor.
 23. The display panel of claim 12, wherein the commonelectrode further comprises: a third notch portion including raisedangle notches facing each other relative to the second opening portiondividing the common electrode, and having a V-shape on the plan view,the raised angle notches protruding into the common electrode from aboundary line of the common electrode; and a fourth notch portionpositioned adjacent to the third notch portion, the fourth notch portionincluding depressed angle notches facing each other relative to thesecond opening portion and having the V-shape, the depressed anglenotches protruding away from the common electrode from the boundary lineof the common electrode.
 24. The display panel of claim 23, wherein thedepressed angle notches of the fourth notch portion extend from areference line positioned at an inner portion of the common electrodetoward the second opening portion, the reference line disposed separatedfrom the boundary line of the common electrode.
 25. The display panel ofclaim 24, wherein a width of the second opening portion is graduallyincreased in a direction toward the depressed angle notch of the commonelectrode.
 26. The display panel of claim 25, wherein the fourth notchportion further includes a connection portion; each of the depressedangle notches of the common electrode is disposed in the V-shape on theplan view; and the connection portion is inclinedly extended from twoend portions of the depressed angle notch contacting the reference line,to the second opening portion.
 27. The display panel of claim 25,wherein the fourth notch portion further includes a first connectionportion and a second connection portion; each of the depressed anglenotches of the common electrode is disposed in the V-shape on the planview; the first connection portion inclinedly extended from two endportions of the depressed angle notch contacting the reference line, toan extending line of the reference line; and the second connectionportion inclinedly extended from an end portion of the first connectionportion to the second opening portion.